So I just ordered a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks (205/45/17) from TireRack. $702.26 including S+H (makes me wish I had 16's... more cheaper options). From what I've read these are the tire of choice for many people, but I still have a couple of unanswered questions. How quick do they wear? I'm gonna have to get them installed fairly soon as New England winters are unpredictable. Any people have anything negative to say about them? And what can I expect to pay to have them installed (as I don't have any way to do it myself). Thanks!

 

Which Blizzak model did you get? Blizzaks are a line of tires, not a specific tire.

As for wear, you'll hear many different stories. I just got rid of a set of Blizzak WS50s that had 3 season on them (about 18,000 miles). They still had over half the tread left, and could have gone another full season.

Some people seem to make them bald after one season. I'm convinced they are #1 driving them in much too warm weather, and #2 driving them too aggressively on the dry pavement. Put them on as late as possible, take them off as early as possible, and drive gently if you want them to last.

I just put my new Blizzak WS60s on yesterday. The temp forecast around here is now solidly in the upper 30s, low 40's for highs. Average highs are about 45F, which is a good time to switch.

 

LM-25 RFT (I didn't want runflats but thats all they had in my size). The Crown Spokes will become my winter wheels in the spring when I buy new rims.

 

The LM-25s should last a long time if you take care of them. Some of the more aggressive (in the snow/ice) Blizzaks like the WS50, WS60, and Revo1 use dual compound contruction. The base layer of rubber is a standard winter compound and the top layer is their "Tube Multicell" compound. The multicell layer is softer and more spongy than the standard winter compound.

Your LM-25s don't have the two layer system, just the standard (harder, tougher) winter compound, so they'll last longer. They'll also behave better on the dry pavement which seems to happen a lot these days.

As for mounting and balancing, $25 per wheel seems pretty common. I have a local shop that does it for about half that, so it pays to search around. On the other hand, you might find some shops won't touch the RFTs. I think any major retail chain should have no problem with them nowadays though.

 

Thanks for the info

 

I'm starting my third winter season on the Blizzak WS50's.

I agree with AutoCoarsen regarding how one drives on them. I usually forget in the first week that they're on and take a corner to fast leaving a clear path of rubber on the road.